It’s a funny old world. I have now been contacted by two journalists informing me that Bedfordshire Police are investigating The Spectator. Why? Because of the Melanie Philips blog where she referred to the “moral depravity” of “the Arabs” who killed the Fogel family in Israel. CoffeeHousers can judge for themselves if they agree or disagree with her language and views – but should this be illegal?

The Guardian has written this story up, claiming The Spectator is being investigated by the Press Complaints Commission. This is untrue. The PCC tell me that a complaint has been lodged, but that’s as far as it has gone.

And guess who informed against them?

1) Inayat Bunglawala, chair of Muslims4UK, gets angry about what he reads on Melanie’s blog.
2) Complains to the PCC.
3) Complains to the police.
4) Phones up The Guardian and says “The PCC are investigating The Spectator!! Story!! Police too!!
5) The Guardian duly writes it all up, on its website.
6) The Independent follows up The Guardian.

I don’t blame the police. The police have no choice but to “investigate” a complaint from a Moslem, or a gay, or a Jew, or some other legally privileged group. They’d be terrified not to. Failing to follow up on “hate crime” (such a loaded phrase, redolent of the Stasi) would be grounds for career termination. Blame Tony Blair and those who passed these laws. Blame, above all, those in power who profit from them. These laws are the creation of the political left.

Until the political left feel threatened by the process they have created, they will continue to create and strengthen such laws. For this is about power, and it all — at the moment — gives power to the dirtiest elements of the political left, and gives them the power to silence those they dislike.